Cecil Franklin Davis
Shelby

Cecil Franklin Davis, age 78, of Shelby, passed away Thursday, April 25.

The visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 29 at Bolton Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Tuesday, April 30 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Deb Long, Pastor Jason Jarvis, and Rebecca Davis officiating. Burial will follow at National Cemetery in Montevallo. Bolton Funeral Home is directing.

He was well known throughout the area as a master cabinetmaker and an avid bowler. But, next to his wife and children, the thing he was most proud of was having served his country during the Vietnam War. Having been wounded himself, he was a very strong supporter of our nation’s military and veterans. He grew up knowing the value of hard work and although his formal education stopped at the 6th grade he mastered many crafts.

He drove trucks for many years and despite traveling well over a million miles, he never had an accident. He later worked as a mechanic and was certified by Ford, GM and diesel. But woodworking was his love and his passion for the last 25 years.

His other passion was bowling. He was well known at Vestavia Hills where he sponsored many teams over the years. In 2013 he was inducted into the Greater Birmingham Area Bowling Hall of Fame and was just recently nominated to the Alabama State Bowlers Hall of Fame.

Mr. Davis also loved to travel, especially to our national parks. He had visited all 50 states and every national park, plus several trips to other countries. He often liked to amuse his friends by giving them directions including road names or numbers to almost anywhere in the country right off the top of his head. They jokingly referred to him as a walking Atlas.

Mr. Davis is survived by his wife of 36 years, Muriel Davis; children, Benny Davis (Kristin) of Ashland, James Davis (Rebecca) of Columbiana, David Davis (Gloria) of Shelby, Debbie Long (Randy) of Calera, and Mary Mikus (Mike) of Yorkville, Illinois; brothers, John Davis (Marie) of Shelby, and Noah Davis (Inell) of Ashland; 17 grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family request the donations be made to Wounded Warriors in Cecil’s Honor at InCecilsHonor.com.

Please sign online condolences at Boltonfuneralhome.com.